Riyadh (AFP)
Further attacks targeted Saudi Arabia on Sunday, the Saudi Energy Ministry said, the day the military coalition it heads launched an operation against rebels in Yemen with strikes on the capital Sana'a, the first for months.
According to Riyadh, the Houthi rebels, at war against the Yemeni government supported by the coalition since 2015, are stepping up fire against the Saudi kingdom.
The Saudi energy ministry, quoted by the official Spa news agency, announced on Sunday evening that a drone had struck an oil port as a ballistic missile had targeted installations of the energy giant Aramco, in the is Saudi.
"One of the parks of oil tanks in the port of Ras Tanoura (east), one of the largest oil ports in the world, was attacked this morning by a drone coming from the sea," the ministry said in its press release.
Later, "shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near the residential area of Saudi Aramco in the city of Dahran," he said without claiming any casualties or identifying those responsible.
The drone and the missile were intercepted and destroyed, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense in Riyadh.
The coalition had already announced Sunday morning the interception in Saudi Arabia of 12 drones directed according to it against "civilian" targets.
Two missiles targeting the southern city of Jizan were also intercepted.
The attacks come on the day the Saudi-led military coalition announced it had launched an operation against rebels in Yemen with strikes on the capital Sana'a.
"The operation targets the military capabilities of the Houthis in Sana'a and other provinces" of Yemen, she said.
- "Red line" -
Targeting civilians in Saudi Arabia is "a red line," the coalition said.
This upsurge in violence comes as the US administration of Joe Biden urged the Houthis to de-escalate after removing them from the list of "terrorist organizations" so as not to hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen.
Along with attacks on Saudi Arabia, the rebels resumed their offensive against the oil town of Marib, the last stronghold in northern Yemen still in loyalist hands.
On Saturday, government military sources reported at least 90 fighters killed on both sides in 24 hours in violent clashes.
The "victories" of pro-government forces over the Houthis in Marib prompted the rebels to step up their attacks on the kingdom, according to the coalition.
The rebels are supported by Iran, the great rival in Riyadh region.
But Tehran denies providing them with weapons.
Having left their stronghold in northern Yemen in 2014, the rebels took control of large areas, including the capital Sana'a.
The capture of Marib by the rebels would be a stinging setback for the government and its Saudi ally.
The war in Yemen has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, according to NGOs, and led to the world's worst humanitarian crisis today, according to the UN.
- "death sentence" -
On Sunday, David Gressly, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, visited the port of Hodeidah on the Red Sea, a key entry point for humanitarian aid for the warring country.
"I need to understand the situation in terms of food, fuel, health, water, education and other needs of the people," he told reporters.
"What we would like to see is the open port, not just for fuel but for other products."
Last week, the UN warned of a "death penalty" against Yemen after a donor conference brought in less than half of the funds needed ($ 1.7 billion of the $ 3.85 billion hoped for) to fund emergency aid to avert a devastating famine.
"After more than a year of Covid across the world, economies are weak and those who provide funding have a harder time giving money," Gressly said.
Shortly after arriving at the White House, Joe Biden announced the end of US support for the Saudi military campaign in Yemen, saying it had "created a humanitarian and strategic catastrophe".
But he also reaffirmed Washington's support for Riyadh in the defense of its territory.
© 2021 AFP